Reverse steering assembly



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 T. O. NEWBY REVERSE STEERING ASSEMBLY Flg. 1.

mllm Sept. 1, 1964 Filed Nov. 1:5, 1961 mv B mw E V N 0 0 m 5 M m o m M 741M, Smith t 20M P 1, 1964 T. o. NEWBY 3,146,586

REVERSE- STEERING ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 13, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Tuoums O. Newex ZMZJMsMzWI/MJ A Horn cjs United States Patent 3,146,586 REVERSE STEERING ASSEMBLY Thomas 0. Newhy, Erownshurg, ind, assignor to The r'hiehler Qorporation, Indianapolis, End, a corporation of hndiana Filed Nov. 13, 1961, fler. No. 151,703 Claims. ((11. 60--35.54)

The present invention relates to jet propelled watercraft and more particularly to a means for controlling the direction of such craft.

One form of water jet propelled boat incorporates an engine operatively coupled to a pump located within a conduit extending through the boat from the bottom to the rear thereof. Water is drawn into the conduit through an intake opening at the bottom of the boat and is moved out the rear of the boat in the form of a jet by means of the pump, the jet leaving the boat above the water within which the boat is sustained. As in all watercraft, it is desirable to provide means for controlling the direction of movement of the boat to cause the boat to move forwardly, rearwardly or retain position. This control may be accomplished by deflecting the stream of water as it leaves the rear of the boat or by causing the stream of water to leave the boat in a particular direction whereby a reaction force is created which acts on the boat in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the stream or water.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide improved means for controlling the direction of movement of a jet boat.

One type of presently available jet boat includes a conduit projecting from the rear of the boat and means for pumping water through the conduit so that it leaves the rear thereof in the form of a jet. A gate is movable within the conduit perpendicularly of the flow therethrough to allow free flow, to block or to partially block rearward flow from the conduit. This gate has a concave shape so that when it is positioned to completely block rearward flow, it also extends downwardly out of the conduit in such a manner that the flow is redirected in a direction forwardly of and beneath the boat. A pair of deflectors are mounted on this craft for pivoting about spaced vertical axes on opposite sides of the conduit exit. It can be appreciated that when the gate is in its above mentioned lowermost position causing the flow of water to move the boat rearwardly, the deflectors cannot be used to steer the rearward movement of the boat.

Consequently, a further object of the present invention is to provide a relatively inexpensive and simple attachment for such a jet boat making possible steering in reverse and when the gate is in its lowermost position.

Related objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Briefly described, one embodiment of the present invention includes an attachment for a jet propelled watercraft, said craft including means for steering when moving forwardly. The attachment includes a conduit mounted on the craft and having an entrance positioned to receive the jet flow from the craft. The conduit extends forwardly of the craft to a first outlet and has two further outlets opening on the opposite sides of the conduit. A vane is pivotally mounted within the conduit and is selectively pivotal to three positions in each of which water flows from only one of the outlets. This vane is operatively coupled to the steering means of the boat whereby conventional operation thereof causes pivoting and corresponding operation of the vane.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims.

lPatented Sept. 1, 1964 FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a jet boat incorporating the novel direction control of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the rear of the jet boat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the structure of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the structure in a ditferent operating position.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated a jet boat 10 and a hull 11, the hull being provided with an intake opening 12 communicating between the bottom of the boat and a pump 13. The pump has a passage therethrough communicating between the intake opening 12 and a passage 15 through a tailpipe 16 secured to the rear of the boat. The pump is driven by a conventional marine engine 14 through shaft 14A and functions to pump water from the intake 12 to and out the rear of the boat. The water is formed into a stream by the converging surface 17 of an annular member 18 fixed within the passage 15, the stream during forward movement of the boat leaving the boat at a point above the water line.

Fixed to the tailpipe 16 is a housing 20 into which the annular member 18 opens and which contains a gate 21 having a concave portion 22. This gate 21 is movable by suitable means 23, hydraulic or otherwise, for raising and lowering the gate through various positions within the housing. Thus, the gate may be raised to a position wherein no portion of the gate interferes with flow from the converging annular member 18 and the stream of water moves directly rearwardly of the craft causing the craft to move forwardly. The gate may also be lowered to the position shown in FIG. 2 wherein all rearward flow of the water from the housing 20 is cut off and the flow is redirected by the concave shape 22 beneath and forwardly of the boat.

The housing 20 is provided with a cylindrical bore 26 of the same size or slightly larger than the exit end of the opening through the annular member 18, said cylindrical bore registering with the opening through the annular member. When the gate is in its uppermost position as above mentioned, water is pumped through the annular member 18 and through the vertically extending hollow interior 27 in the housing to be exhausted from the rear of the boat between a pair of deflector plates 23 pivotally mounted upon the housing on opposite sides of the opening 26.

The plates 23 are each pivotal about vertical axes provided by shafts 29 extending through projections 2A extending rearwardly from the housing 26. In order to turn the boat in one direction when the boat is moving forwardly, one of the plates 28 is pivoted into the stream by means of a steering quadrant 30 pivotally mounted on the housing 20 by means of a. shaft 30A having its axis directly between the pivotal axes of the deflector plates. The quadrant 30 has integrally formed thereon a pair of depending elements 31 which are located outside of the deflector plates and are arranged to pivot one or the other of the plates inwardly (as in FIG. 4) when the quadrant 30 is pivoted.

Each of the plates 28 has outwardly facing cam surface 32 formed thereon which is engaged by one of the elements 31 during such pivoting, the cam surface acting to provide desired steering characteristics experienced by the operator of the boat. For example, the outwardly curving portions 35 in the rear of the cam surfaces 32 produce relatively great deflection of the deflector plates for a given amount of movement of the controls in the boat. The quadrant 30 may be pivoted by a suitable steering wheel or other suitable control mechanism within the boat, said mechanism being operatively associated with a steering line 36 extending from the boat and around a groove 37 formed in the quadrant back into the boat.

Fixed to the housing 29 and to the tailpipe 16 by suitable bolts 39 and positioned below the tailpipe is a reverse steering attachment 49. This attachment includes a conduit 41 which is positioned to receive the flow from the gate 21 when it is located in its downward position as in FIG. 2. Thi conduit has a flat shape and extends downwardly and forwardly of the boat from a rectangular entrance 42 at its entrance end 43 to a rectangular exit 45 at an exit end 44 which is positioned beneath the boat so that flow from the exit end will move below and beneath the boat producing a rearward thrust upon the boat. The conduit 41 has a generally rectangular cross section and has two further outlets 46 and 47 formed in the sides of the conduit 41. Members 43 lead from the entrance 42 and partially define the entrance and the outlets 46 and 47. Members 48 are fixed within the conduit to the upper and lower portions 48A and 48B thereof and define a passage by their portions 48C which are parallel and spaced apart approximately the width of the concave portion 22 of the gate. Pivotally mounted within the conduit 41 is a vane 50 which is elongated and flat and when in the position of FIG. 3, is parallel to the walls 48C of the entrance passage.

The vane 50 is fixed upon trunnion members 51 which are received within bearings in the conduit. The lower trunnion member 51 extends below the conduit and has fixed thereto an arm 52 at the distal end of which is pivotally received a link 55. This link is pivoted at its other end by means of a ball and socket connection 56 to one of the depending elements 31 of the quadrant. It can be appreciated that when the deflectors 28 are pivoted by the quadrant, the vane 50 will also be pivoted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the width of the gate 21 is the same as or slightly less than the width of the outlet end 45 of the conduit. Since the conduit passage is straight (as defined by walls 48C) and the opening at the end 45 is in registry with the conduit passage and gate when it is in its downward position as in FIG. 2, all flow into the conduit moves directly along the extent of the conduit and out the exit end 45, when the vane 50 is in the position of FIGS. 2 and 3. It will be noted that the vane has a relatively small thickness so that the flow of water through the conduit and on either side of the vane is interfered with only slightly.

The vane may be pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 4 wherein the outlet 45 and the outlet 47 are closed off and the vane deflects flow through the outlet 46. Since the gate 21 is so positioned as to cut off all flow through the opening 26, the only flow leaving the boat is from the opening 46 and a sideward thrust is created tending to move the rear of the boat sidewardly and tending to pivot the boat about a vertical axis. When the vane 50 is pivoted to various positions between the positions of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a certain portion of the water flows through the outlet 46 and a certain portion flows through exit 45. It can be appreciated that by adjusting the position of the steering quadrant, the boat may be steered in reverse, movement of the quadrant in a clockwise direction from the position of FIG. 3 producing pivoting of the vane to positions distributing flow through the exit 45 and the outlet 46 or 47.

From the above description, it will be evident that the present invention provides an improved direction control for a jet boat. Conceivably, the principles of the direction control herein disclosed as an attachment might also be used in a primary direction control for the craft. It will also be evident that the present invention provides a relatively inexpensive and simple attachment for a conventional jet boat making possible steering of the boat in reverse.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the

same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims are also desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

1. An attachment for a jet propelled Watercraft for steering the craft when moving rearwardly, said craft including means for steering when moving forwardly, said attachment comprising a conduit mounted on said craft and having an entrance positioned to receive jet flow from said craft, said conduit extending forwardly with respect to the craft from said entrance and having three outlets, one opening forwardly with respect to the craft and the other two opening on the opposite sides of the conduit and facing oppositely and laterally of the craft, a vane pivotally mounted within said further conduit and operatively connected to the steering means of the craft whereby said vane is pivoted by the operation of said steering means, said vane being pivotal between a position closing off flow through said one outlet and one of said other two outlets, a position closing off flow through said one outlet and the other of said other two outlets, and a position wherein said vane extends in a fore and aft direction with respect to said craft.

2. In a direction control system for watercraft including a reawardly extending first conduit mounted on the craft and having a first exit opening rearwardly thereof, means for pumping water through said conduit, said conduit having a further opening in the lower wall thereof constituting a second exit, a gate movable within said conduit to allow free flow to block or to partially block rearward flow from said conduit through said first exit to cause fiow from said second exit, a pair of deflectors mounted on said craft for pivoting about spaced vertical axes on opposite sides of said first exit, a steering quadrant mounted on said craft above said first exit for pivoting about a vertical axis centrally located of said first exit, and rigid projections extending downwardly from said quadrant on the outside of said deflectors and adapted to pivot selectively one or the other of said deflectors inwardly when said quadrant is pivoted; the improvement which comprises a further conduit mounted on said craft below said first conduit and having an entrance positioned to receive fiow from said second exit, said further conduit extending forwardly from said entrance and having three outlets, one opening forwardly with respect to the craft and the other two opening on the opposite sides of the further conduit and on opposite sides of the craft, a vane pivotally mounted within said further conduit, an arm fixed to said vane for the pivoting thereof, a link pivoted at one end to said arm and at the other end to one of said projections whereby said vane is pivoted by the pivoting of said steering quadrant, said vane being pivotal between a position closing off flow through said one outlet and one of said other two outlets, a position closing off flow through said one outlet and the other of said other two outlets, and a position wherein said vane extends in a fore and aft direction with respect to said craft.

3. A direction control system for watercraft comprising a rearwardly extending first conduit mounted on the craft and having a first exit opening rearwardly thereof, means for pumping water through said conduit, said conduit having a further opening in the lower wall thereof constituting a second exit, a gate movable within said conduit to allow free flow to block or to partially block rearward flow from said conduit through said first exit to cause flow from said second exit, a pair of deflectors mounted on said craft for pivoting about spaced vertical axes on opposite sides of said first exit, a steering quadrant mounted on said craft above said first exit for pivoting about a vertical axis centrally located of said first exit, and rigid projections extending downwardly from said quadrant on the outside of said deflectors and adapted to pivot selectively one or the other of said deflectors inwardly when said quadrant is pivoted, a further conduit mounted on said craft below said first conduit and having an entrance positioned to receive flow from said second exit, said further conduit extending forwardly from said entrance and having three outlets, one opening forwardly with respect to the craft and the other two opening on the opposite sides of the further conduit and on opposite sides of the craft, a vane pivotally mounted within said further conduit, an arm fixed to said vane for the pivoting thereof, a link pivoted at one end to said arm and at the other end to one of said projections whereby said vane is pivoted by the pivoting of said steering quadrant, said vane being pivotal between a position closing of1 flow through said one outlet and one of said other two outlets, a position closing ofi flow through said one outlet and the other of said other two outlets, and a position wherein said vane extends in a fore and aft direction with respect to said craft.

4. An attachment for a jet propelled watercraft for steering the craft when moving rearwardly, said craft including means for steering when moving forwardly, said attachment comprising a conduit mounted on said craft at the rear thereof and having an entrance positioned to receive jet flow from said craft, said conduit having a substantially flat shape extending from said entrance forwardly and below said craft, said conduit being substantially rectangular in transverse cross section and having three outlets, one opening forwardly with respect to the craft and the other two opening on the opposite sides of the conduit, an elongated rectangular vane, a shaft fixed at the center of the vane and pivotally mounting it within said conduit for pivoting about an axis substantially perpendicular to the flat shape, an arm fixed to said shaft for the pivoting thereof, said arm being operatively connected to the steering means of the craft whereby said vane is pivoted by the operation of said steering means, said vane being pivotal between a first position closing off flow through said one outlet and one of said other two outlets, a second position closing off flow through said one outlet and the other of said other two outlets, and a third position wherein said vane extends forwardly with respect to said craft, said vane being so arranged in said first position as to deflect flow from said entrance through the other of said other two outlets, said vane being so arranged in said second position as to deflect flow from said entrance through the one of said other two outlets, said vane being so arranged in said third position as to permit undeflected flow through said conduit beneath and in a fore and aft direction with respect to said craft.

5. An attachment for a jet propelled watercraft for steering the craft when moving rearwardly, said craft including means for steering when moving forwardly, said attachment comprising a conduit mounted on said craft at the rear thereof and having an entrance positioned to receive jet flow from said craft, said conduit extending from said entrance forwardly and below said craft, said conduit having three outlets, one opening forwardly with respect to the craft and the other two opening on the opposite sides of the conduit, a vane, a shaft fixed at the center of the vane and pivotally mounting it within said conduit, said shaft being operatively connected to the steering means of the craft whereby said vane is pivoted by the operation of said steering means, said vane being pivotal between a first position closing off flow through said one outlet and one of said other two outlets, a second position closing off flow through said one outlet and the other of said other two outlets, and a third position wherein said vane extends forwardly with respect to said craft, said vane being so arranged in said first position as to deflect flow from said entrance through the other of said other two outlets, said vane being so arranged in said second position as to deflect flow from said entrance through the one of said other two outlets, said vane being so arranged in said third position as to permit undeflected flow through said conduit beneath and in a fore and aft direction with respect to said craft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,237,364 Miller Aug. 21, 1917 FOREIGN PATENTS 9,435 Great Britain May 1, 1908 

1. AN ATTACHMENT FOR A JET PROPELLED WATERCRAFT FOR STEERING THE CRAFT WHEN MOVING REARWARDLY, SAID CRAFT INCLUDING MEANS FOR STEERING WHEN MOVING FORWARDLY, SAID ATTACHMENT COMPRISING A CONDUIT MOUNTED ON SAID CRAFT AND HAVING AN ENTRANCE POSITIONED TO RECEIVE JET FLOW FROM SAID CRAFT, SAID CONDUIT EXTENDING FORWARDLY WITH RESPECT TO THE CRAFT FROM SAID ENTRANCE AND HAVING THREE OUTLETS, ONE OPENING FORWARDLY WITH RESPECT TO THE CRAFT AND THE OTHER TWO OPENING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE CONDUIT AND FACING OPPOSITELY AND LATERALLY OF THE CRAFT, A VANE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED WITHIN SAID FURTHER CONDUIT AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE STEERING MEANS OF THE CRAFT WHEREBY SAID VANE IS PIVOTED BY THE OPERATION OF SAID STEERING MEANS, SAID VANE BEING PIVOTAL BETWEEN A POSITION CLOSING OFF FLOW THROUGH SAID ONE OUTLET AND ONE OF SAID OTHER TWO OUTLETS, A POSITION CLOSING OFF FLOW THROUGH SAID ONE OUTLET AND THE OTHER OF SAID OTHER TWO OUTLETS, AND A POSITION WHEREIN SAID VANE EXTENDS IN A FORE AND AFT DIRECTION WITH RESPECT TO SAID CRAFT. 